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Today about 10% of Latvia's territory is occupied by peatlands (645,100 ha), but the extraction of peat happens in only 4% (25,739 ha) of the total. In regulatory documents peat bogs are mentioned as having a very high probability of flammability (in the context of climate change and other natural elements: drought, heat, lightning and deliberate or unintentional human activity). This indicates the need to improve fire safety by conducting research and improving regulatory frameworks. The aim of the study was to a...

One of the long-term goals of the certification systems (FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)) of sustainably managed forests that provide both social, environmental, and economic benefits is to completely phase out the use of chemical pesticides to protect planting material. It is in the interest of both nurseries and forest owners to find successful alternative, environmentally friendly solutions to safeguard pine saplings against Curculionidae. The stud...

The planted forest stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus roburL.) were carefully cultivated in Latvia for wood harvesting since the end of the 19th century. Today, felling of Q. robur forest stands in Latvia is prohibited, and according to the nature conservation rules are included in the list of habitats of European interest 9160*. According to the State Forest Service [14], the share of oak stands in all forests in Latvia is 0.1% (9354.58 ha). During their lives, oak forest stands are threatened by various risk fac...

In Latvia, Scots pine forests stands occupy 953450 ha or 33% of the total forest area. The percentage of young stands is 18% of pine forests. The young stands under the age of 10 are most represented. Scots pine has always been important for the Latvian economy, since several high-quality assortments can only be made from a quality pine trunk. The quality of the first log shall be formed during the first decade of the tree, therefore it is important to identify, assess and reduce the risk factors for P. sylvestris...

Intensification of forest management is required due to contrasting trends of growing demand to use renewable materials and boost carbon sequestration, while simultaneously decreasing area of managed forest. Additionally, increasing frequency of natural disturbances creates difficulties to ensure production of high-quality saw-logs. One of the strategies to overcome (or at least minimize) the negative impacts is establishment of low-density plantations, intended for relatively short rotation (c.a. 50 years). Aim o...

According to national forest statistics data of 2018, Picea abies occupies 18% of the forest area of Latvia. As a result of intensive forestry management a forest productivity and the diverse anthropogenic influences on forest ecosystems are significantly increased. During the life a growth of spruce young stands can be influenced not only by abiotic but also by various biotic and anthropogenic factors. An aim of the research was to analyze sanitary condition of the artificially regenerated young forest stands of ...

According to State Forest service data in 2018 Norway spruce occupies 19% (0.533 milj. ha) from total forest area in Latvia. Disease and pest intense spread and damage in different forest ecosystems is result of climate change creating a risk to forest management. Spruce bus scale (Physokermes picea Shrnk.) in Baltics including in Latvia up to 2009 were detected only in parks growing trees but after 2009 also in different age P. abies stands especially on drained soils including Myrtillosa mel. Research aim is to ...

Hardwood forest stands in Latvia serves mainly recreational purposes, as well as ensuring biological diversity. Ash stands in 2015 were occupied 0.4% of the total (2923515 ha) forest area. This proportion have been made up from the dominant tree species registered in the State Forest Register. The research was conducted in the pure and mixed stands (other species admixture up to 30%), selecting middle-age (44, 47 years) and mature (66, 67 years) stands with a density of 0.7. For data collection, were installed 16 ...

For unused agricultural land afforestation are several aims like, rational land use, rural landscape diversification, decrement of environment pollution, increasing recreation possibilities and other but also can be established or special purposes planted forest stands as plantation forest. In Latvia during year 2015 State Forest Service (VMD) registered 3.4 thou. ha of afforested agricultural land and 2.7 thou. ha were registered as plantation forests. Aim of research is to analyse sanitary condition of agricultu...